PCRSP: Miner’s Ridge Fern Canyon Friendship Ridge West Ridge Loop

Sunday, December 1Prairie Creek Redwoods State ParkRedwood National and State ParksUnceded land of the Yurok Tribe17.01 miles2,704′ ascent2,662′ descent Miner’s Ridge Trail to Gold Bluffs RoadFern Canyon to James Irvine TrailFriendship Ridge to West Ridge I drive all the way to Clam Beach before I miraculously realize that I have forgotten my trekking poles. The … More PCRSP: Miner’s Ridge Fern Canyon Friendship Ridge West Ridge Loop

Loowit Trail Lava

Thursday, September 12Start: June Lake TrailheadStop: June Lake Trailhead9.41 miles2,343′ ascent2,374′ descent I awake early and check the weather. The weather window is shortening so I decide to head out earlier rather than later. I’m hoping to make it 12 trail miles to the South Fork of the Toutle River today. And then finish it … More Loowit Trail Lava

Spray Park Goats

Saturday, September 7Wonderland Trail Day #4Start: Eagle’s Roost via Spay ParkStop: Yellowstone Cliffs11.01 miles3,813′ ascent3,648′ descent  The exertions of yesterday leave my body amped up and it takes me half the night to fall asleep. Plus, it is so damn warm that I don’t need my sleeping bag for half the night. I toss and turn … More Spray Park Goats

13 by 1

Friday, September 6Wonderland Trail Day #3Start: Klapatche ParkStop: Eagle’s Roost 19.54 miles4,370′ ascent5,018′ descent I set my alarm for 5:30 am but had unknowingly unset it. Thanks to my internal clock I awake at 5:37 am and launch into action. The last thing I do before I leave camp is to collect my food bag from … More 13 by 1

The Return Of Lionheart

Wednesday, September 4Wonderland Trail Day #1Start: LongmireStop: Devil’s Dream Camp5.8 miles2,568’ ascent406’ descent  A barred owl hoots as some animal whose cry is not in my auditory catalog howls along the banks of Big Creek. My watch alarm goes off at 4 am after a fitful night of sleep. I remove the few items from … More The Return Of Lionheart

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park 60

Monday-Wednesday, August 26-28Prairie Creek Redwoods State ParkRedwood National and State ParksUnceded lands of the Yurok Tribe 60.01 miles7,181′ ascent6,980′ descentThese three days and 60 miles of hiking were a focused training period and preparation for hiking the Wonderland Trail (September 4-10). Monday, August 2619.17 miles2,223′ ascent2,271′ descent Park Headquarters to West Ridge TrailZig Zag #1 … More Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park 60

PCRSP: Knapp West Ridge Friendship Ridge James Irvine Loop

Wednesday, August 7Prairie Creek Redwoods State ParkRedwood National and State ParksUnceded land of the Yurok Tribe 15.11 miles2,047′ ascent1,881′ descent Karl Knapp Trail and up Zig Zag #2West Ridge Trail to Friendship Ridge TrailJames Irvine Trail back to headquarters This is the last hike of our summer break and we eagerly hit the trail at … More PCRSP: Knapp West Ridge Friendship Ridge James Irvine Loop

PCRSP: West Ridge Rhododendron Brown Creek Knapp Miner’s Clintonia Irvine Loop

Wednesday, July 31Prairie Creek Redwoods State ParkRedwood National and State ParksUnceded lands of the Yurok Tribe 20.02 miles3,109′ ascent3,072′ descent West Ridge Trail and down Zig Zag #2Rhododendron Trail to Brown Creek Trailcross Drury Parkway to Knapp TrailMiner’s Ridge Trail to Clintonia TrailJames Irvine Trail back to park headquarters After the 45+ minute drive, I’m … More PCRSP: West Ridge Rhododendron Brown Creek Knapp Miner’s Clintonia Irvine Loop

Peavine Ridge Loop

Monday, July 22Humboldt Redwoods State Parkunmarked trailhead just before Harper Creek14.58 miles2,901′ ascent2,976′ descentPeavine Ridge highpoint 2,474′Unceded lands of the Sinkyone peoples We swipe at a few mosquitoes as we start off on the Homestead Trail at 8:30am. It’s gentle rolling terrain through old-growth redwoods all the way to Albee Campground. We’re just uphill from … More Peavine Ridge Loop